Pateros Special Health and Safety Levy wins voter approval

PATEROS – Preliminary returns from Tuesday’s April 23 Special Election show that the Pateros School 122-70J Proposition 1 Capital Levy for Health and Safety Improvements is passing with more than 62 percent of votes cast. Out of 307 votes cast 191 or 62.21 percent voted in favor and 116 or 37.79 percent voted against. A three-fifths or 60 percent approval was need for the levy to pass. The Okanogan County Auditor will certify the results on May 3.

The Pateros School District ran the levy to raise $411,190 over the next two years to complete three or more campus projects to improve health and safety issues for students. The funds raised will be used to:

• Build a covered play area on the elementary playground,

• Expand a second floor/weight room over the auxiliary gym to create an indoor recess space.

• Construct an ADA compliant access ramp to the Music Building.

Any remaining funds will be used for projects that support health and safety on campus.

The levy will run at $1 per thousand dollars of property valuation for two years, yielding the desired amount. The first collection will be spring of 2020 and the last collection in the fall of 2021. The Board decided to run the $1/$1,000 levy amount because it keeps the school tax rate essentially flat (except for 2019 taxes). It also helps the District compensate for the negative effect of a 2018 state law which placed a cap on how much school Districts can raise in maintenance and operations levies.

Studies show that children are better behaved and do better academically when they’ve been physically active. In Pateros, when it’s smoky, rainy or very cold (20 degrees or less, including wind chill factor), elementary student “recess” stays indoors and students sit in the hallway and watch a movie. Figures from Pateros elementary show that this school year alone that has happened 20 times—one month’s worth of recess. There is no alternative space on campus for young students to play and be active.

School districts are required by federal law, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), to provide handicap-accessible facilities. Pateros’ older buildings have been out of compliance with this for some time, and temporary waivers have been granted as funding becomes available to make appropriate modifications. The elementary wing ADA access was completed a few years ago, but the K-12 music building remains out of compliance.